GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Junior Christian Wolanin, who became the first defenseman in 35 years to lead the University of North Dakota in scoring, has been voted UND’s Most Valuable Player by his teammates, highlighting the team’s 2017-18 awards that were announced on Thursday evening by head coach Brad Berry.

Wolanin received the Jeff Anderson Hockey Scholarship as team MVP after amassing 35 points in 40 games, making him the first defenseman since James Patrick in 1982-83 to lead the team in scoring. The Detroit, Mich., native scored a career-high 12 goals, one shy of the UND single-season record for defensemen, and led the nation’s rearguards with eight power-play goals.

Wolanin was named to the All-College Hockey News Second Team, the All-U.S. College Hockey Online Third Team and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s All-NCHC Second Team. Wolanin also received UND’s Virg Foss 3-Star Award for topping all Fighting Hawks in 3-star voting points following home games. Earlier this week, he was named UND’s Glenn “Red” Jarrett Male Athlete of the Year.

Following the season, Wolanin signed with Ottawa Senators and played in 10 National Hockey League games.